Date of intake:: 10/26/2024

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Owner Surrender

Previously lived with:: 2 adults

Behavior toward strangers:: He prefers contact on his own terms. He can snap, lunge, and growl, hard bark at them when entering

Behavior toward children:: actively avoid and growl at children.

Behavior toward dogs:: hard bark and growl at familiar and unfamiliar dogs on and off leash. He will lunge at unfamiliar do

Behavior toward cats:: hard bark and growl

Resource guarding:: No resource guarding reported.

Bite history:: No bite history.

Housetrained:: Yes

Energy level/descriptors:: Bugsy is reported to have a medium energy level.

Other Notes:: *** Please see the prior assessments for more details*** Bugsy is reported to be mouthy in his last home. He will mouth/bit on arms and hands. He will do it when walking, being pet, or given treats. Prior owner stated he will do it all the tie no matter if anything is happening or not. Prior owner state it doesn't break skin or draw blood, but he applies some pressure. Bugsy is mouthy and will take treats rough. He will jump up and chew on leash during walks. He has general anxiety. On walks he growls, hard barks, and lunges at cars/bikes, small animals, large dogs, and strangers. When held/restrained he snaps. He isn't bothered when disturbed while sleep and startled. It is unknown how he reacts when pushed off furniture or when collar is touched. When you touch his paws, he will growl and snap.

Date of assessment:: 10/31/2024

Summary:: Leash Walking Strength and pulling: Hard Reactivity to humans: Inconclusive- Didnt walk pass people Reactivity to dogs: Inconclusive- Didnt walk pass dogs Leash walking comments: Sociability Loose in room (15-20 seconds): Stays near handler, takes treats roughly Call over: Readily approaches- seeks attention, follows handler around the room, performs "sit" cue. Sociability comments: Excessively jumps on the handler Handling Soft handling: Tolerant- distracted, lick lips Exuberant handling: Tolerant- distracted, stay in handling position, lip licks Handling comments: Arousal Jog: Follows- distracted Arousal comments: Knock: Approaches- soft body Knock Comments: Toy: Grips walks away Toy comments

Summary:: According to Bugsy's previous adopters, he would hard bark and growl at familiar and unfamiliar dogs on and off leash and has escalated to lunging at unfamiliar dogs. 10/31/24 Bugsy is introduced to a novel female dog while off leash at the care center. Bugsy greets the novel female dog at the gate with a soft body, offering a bounce. Bugsy is taken to greet her face-to-face. Bugsy will attempt to sniff her genitals, but she doesn't allow it. Bugsy will stop making attempts and lightly make body contact with her, playing on her terms. Bugsy will display "start' stops" along with play bows and paw slaps. Bugsy will disengage and walk away on his own. Bugsy is returned to kennel. Due to Bugsy entering the facility as a stray, there is no prior dog-to-dog history recorded. 08/23/24: When off leash at the Care Center Bugsy is introduced to a novel female dog. At the gate Bugsy approaches with a high curved flagging tail and stiff frame shortly after Bugsy's hackles rise. Bugsy scents around the gate and grass before marking.

Summary (6):: 11/17/24: Bugsy was lying in kennel when handler approached. He was leashed with ease and walked with a loose, bouncy frame to the BA room. Bugsy was highly social and solicited many pets and treats. Bugsy would offer a sit when he wanted another treat. He leaned into scratches on his neck and behind his ears. Bugsy sometimes became mildly mouthy when pet but would stop immediately when handler stopped petting him or moved away. Bugsy seemed to want to stay in the room and avoided slip leash by approaching another handler across the room. He was returned to kennel without issue. 11/14/24 (Trainer Note): Bugsy is standing at the front of the kennel with a neutral body as the handler approaches. He is easily leashed and pulls moderately outside. He is easily verbally redirected away from dogs and engages readily in loose leash walking with the handler. Bugsy spends the majority of the walk at the handler's side, looking up at them. He jumps up once onto the handler, but is easily redirected. Handler begins to extend the time between reinforcers and Bugsy continues to walk next to the handler. He maintains a neutral body throughout the duration of the interaction and is returned to kennel without issue.

Summary (7):: 11/07/24 (Trainer Note): Bugsy is standing at the front of the kennel with a neutral body as the handler approaches. He is easily leashed and pulls moderately to the canine training room. Bugsy engages readily in the various enrichment items, maintaining a loose body throughout the interaction. He is returned to kennel without issue. 10/31/24: Bugsy is leashed easily at the front of his kennel and displayed a neutral body when being leashed. Bugsy pulls hard to the behavior office and begins his assessment to which he tolerates all aspects of the assessment (See Behavior Assessment). Bugsy is social with staff but does take treats hard being slightly mouthy during interaction. Bugsy is brought back to kennel with no issue. 10/31/24: Bugsy was leashed with ease and exited kennel willingly. Bugsy was noted as mouthy, so handler offered him a toy which he picked up carried outside. Bugsy dropped the toy once outside the building but proceeded to the yard for a gate greet without issue (see dog-dog summary.) Bugsy shook his head frequently throughout interaction. He was returned to kennel by another handler without issue. 09/22/24: Bugsy is sleeping in kennel as handler approaches. He wakes up as handler unlocks the kennel door and jumps up excitedly. Handler tosses treats and Bugsy is leashed with ease. He pulls mildly out to the play yard. Bugsy is clipped to a drag lead and free to explore the space. He is loose and wiggly throughout his time in the yard. Bugsy tosses toys around the yard and will shake and chew them. He excitedly jumps up on handler for attention but is redirected into a "sit" and offered treats. Bugsy spends time scenting and is returned to kennel safely. 09/08/24: Bugsy is at the front of kennel with a neutral body as handler approaches. He is leashed with ease and walks with a neutral body to the Live Room. Bugsy is clipped to a drag lead and engages with a snuffle mat and slow feeder with treats. He readily approaches handler and leans into them to solicit attention. Bugsy accepts petting with a soft body and slow wagging tail. He is easily leashed and returns to kennel safely. 08/23/24 Bugsy is at the front of his kennel with a still, neutral frame as the handler approaches. The handler will leash him to take him to play group. As Bugsy exits the kennel, he becomes tense hard starring at the handler. They proceed outside for his interaction. On their way there, Bugsy will stiffen and hard stare at dogs with novel handlers, not really attempting to move, staying planted until they were out of sight. His interaction will go the same, displaying some form of reactivity during. Bugsy is returned to kennel where he was reluctant to enter until a treat wa

Date of intake:: 10/26/2024

Summary:: He allowed staff to pet him and had a loose body.

Date of initial:: 10/27/2024

Summary:: Whale eye, panting, muzzled, headwhipped and showed teeth when attempting to examine neuter site

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

Recommendations:: No children (under 13),Place with a New Hope partner

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13)- Due to his behavior challenges we recommend he be placed in an adult-only home at this time. Place with a New Hope partner-Bugsy was surrendered to the care center due to financial reasons and an increase in mouthy behavior.Bugsy inside his previous home was social, affectionate, very active, playful, and vocal. He knows the cues stay, sit, heal, come, and go. His previous owner's favorite thing about him is mellowness and how playful. In his previous home, Bugsy would lunge, snap, hard bark, and growl at unfamiliar people, especially delivery drivers or visitors. Although he would eventually adjust to these individuals after a slow introduction, his initial defensiveness suggests potential stranger reactivity. Bugsy is also reported to be mouthy, frequently mouthing or biting arms and hands during interactions such as petting, walking, or receiving treats. While his mouthing has not broken the skin, it does involve applying pressure. Regarding dog interactions, Bugsy has shown reactivity, including hard barking, growling, and attempting to lunge at both familiar and unfamiliar dogs, whether on or off leash. At the care center, he has displayed social behavior with handlers, seeking attention and engaging in play. Bugsy is available through one of our New Hope partners.

Potential challenges: : Basic manners/poor impulse control,Mouthiness/poor bite inhibition,Fearful/potential for defensive aggression,On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration,Leash-biting,Strength/leash pulling,Low threshold for arousal

Potential challenges comments:: Basic manners/poor impulse control- Bugsy excitement and tendency to jump on people can be managed through consistent training focused on impulse control. Teach Bugsy commands like "sit" and "stay" using positive reinforcement. Reward him with treats and praise when he responds correctly. Please see the handout on Basic manners/poor impulse control. Fearful/potential for defensive aggression- Bugsy is reported in the prior home to growl, snap, lunge, and hard bark at strangers entering the home. During a medical examination of the neuter site, Bugsy whipped his head around and bared his teeth. Mouthiness/poor bite inhibition- In the prior home and in care, Bugsy takes treats roughly, showing a lack of proper bite inhibition. Training should focus on offering treats with an open hand and using commands like "gentle" or "easy." Rewarding him for taking treats softly and providing chew toys can help improve his bite inhibition. Please the handout on Basic manners/poor impulse control. Leash biting/Strength/leash pulling/On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration- Bugsy hard pulls towards dogs growling and hard barking during walks. Bugsy is also reported to leash bite and snap, growl, hard bark and lunge at strangers entering the home. Addressing this requires desensitization and counter-conditioning techniques. Gradually exposing him to these triggers at a distance while rewarding calm behavior, and using tools like a no-pull harness can help manage his reactivity. Please the handout on On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration. Low threshold for arousal- Bugsy is reported to be mouthy in his last home. He will mouth/bit on arms and hands. He will do it when walking, being pet, or given treats. Prior owner stated he will do it all the tie no matter if anything is happening or not. The prior owner state it doesn't break skin or draw blood, but he applies some pressure.In dogs is a state of heightened excitement and alertness triggered by social interactions or environmental stimuli, leading to behaviors like excessive barking, restlessness, jumping, mouthing, and pacing. Managing this condition involves consistent training with positive reinforcement, maintaining a structured routine, minimizing exposure to triggers, ensuring ample physical exercise, and providing mental stimulation through puzzle toys and interactive games. For severe cases, consulting a veterinary behaviorist or professional dog trainer is recommended